The thesis I believe is that in the US, the public service does not have the resources to do project management and outsources that, typically to those who also

The thesis I believe is that in the US, the public service does not have the resources to do project management and outsources that, typically to those who also do the work and have an incentive to overcharge. In other countries, not only are there people employed by the state who do said project management and have the responsibility and expertise, but when outside PM work is required, it has to be done by a different entity. Nothing to do with being dumb, everything to do with bad incentives.